History of S'Estalella

HISTORY (español abajo)

The fisherman town of S'Estalella is one of the oldest parts of S'Estanyol. It is tucked away in a corner along the coast line, with its own natural harbour.

The tower of S’Estalella was constructed in 1577, and it is assumed that lighthouse keepers and fishermen were the first to settle in the area. Evidence has been discovered which indicates that in the 19th century the gentlemen of S'Estalella (Landowners) gave some ownership of land; called “Can Jaqueta”, to the fisherman, in order to build a barrack hut.

This is how it was possible to construct these barrack huts which are still conserved in “Sa Punta de S’Estalella”. Before these huts were inhabited there was another area where they had other barrack huts, a place to dye the fishing nets, but unfortunately over time they have disappeared.

The first inhabitants of these constructions were probably fishermen, although they could also have been tenant farmers, seaweed collectors or even smugglers. They lived by exchanging the fish or salt -which the women gathered near the sea- with basic products of necessity (wheat, meat, fruits.) from the land owners nearby.

At the beginning of the 20th century further development occurred in S'Estanyol, and summer holiday homes were built for the more well off families of Llucmajor. This new development also began in the fishing village in S’Estalella, luckily, the main part of its original appearance was kept intact.